AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“About this.”
His body surged forward to prove his point, letting her feel the bulge that constricted his pants and how much it pulsed for her. Then he stopped thinking altogether when he came in contact and felt the softest body there was despite all the steel she held, cushioning his in a way that made them fit perfectly. In this position, his cock was snuggled on her lower stomach, and all it would take was one hitch for him to be snug in between her legs instead—clothed but heated, rubbing until he was harder and she was wet, wishing he could feel it with his fingers. Upon the fantasy, his fingers started cruising down, touching her legs over her dress until he could clutch the hem. He skated inside, thumb resting on her inner thigh, watching her pupils dilate and a hunger spark. But she fought it despite not fighting him. He closed his eyes.
He tried very hard not to claim her lips and trace her panties despite his brain and body screaming at him to do so.
“We can’t,” she said, gasping when his thumb moved an inch. Exhaling when his mouth brushed a second against hers. It sounded like a moan…but it was fought nevertheless, bringing to him the painful truth that she was right.
“We can’t,” he agreed, the words difficult to let out. “Not here.”
“Yes. No,” was all she could manage, the flush running all over her skin until all he wanted to do was touch. Taste. He gulped instead. He straightened, clutching at whatever self-control he had left.
“No. But this isn’t over.”
Her gaze snapped up, clashing with his. Her body heaved, weakening him. But they both held on.
“Edmund…”
“I think I heard them calling our name. Let’s go.”
This time, he didn’t take her hand but gestured until she followed.
Chapter 9
The event was a rousing success, even more so with Edmund finally showing his face and not a single person recognizing him. Perhaps it was because no cameras were allowed here to tarnish the hosts’ adamance to keep the gala experience private and intimate. Perhaps because Edmund kept to his Ed façade, never once mentioning his origins and focusing the conversation on the speaker when they began to ask questions.
It left Alexa in awe as they navigated the guests with the ease of veterans, and she had her fair share of questions and a sold piece to a respected buyer. The thrill came slower, delayed by the arousal that drummed through her during their quiet confrontation—during the near kiss and how good his body had felt against her. Now he respected her wishes and acted like the politest man ever, steering her where they needed to go and introducing her to people who heaped praises over her singular work. That he purposely kept his detached so the limelight could be on her filled her with anxiety, but it was also his presence that kept her grounded as she smiled, answered, and didn’t make any promises on commission offers.
“You must be the famed Ed. I knew you were special the moment I saw you earlier.”
The woman’s tone was smooth and melodic. It wasn’t until Alexa glanced and saw her that recognition flared despite the oddity of that tone to the woman’s throaty singing voice. Up close, she was even more stunning with her dark, wavy hair and lipstick red lips, and those dark eyes latched on to Edmund as if she liked what she saw. An odd feeling slithered in Alexa’s stomach when Edmund stepped away from her—or maybe it was the woman tugging him closer, but either way, the smile he gave out was graceful and friendly.
“And you were the one who sang on that stage and had everyone listening to every word.”
The woman laughed as if he had said something very funny. “I wouldn’t say they were listening to every word, but thank you for the compliment. I haven’t fully dissected your pieces, but the ocean scene displayed down the front is one of my favorites.”
“Oh, which one?”
“The blue one. It matches your eyes.”
Warmth entered Edmund’s demeanor, appreciative of the humor. Alexa detected the change in the tone of conversation as the woman took that as a positive note and sidled closer, attaching herself to his side. He didn’t protest. He leaned close when she started to whisper.
“Ed seems like such an ordinary name for someone like you. I’m sure it’s short for something…?”
“Ed is my name, and I don’t mind whatever people think of it.”
“I’m Alishondra.”
“Real name?”
She smirked. “Why don’t we take this somewhere private, and you can find out?”
Edmund smiled but shook his head. “I’m afraid I have to see to something first.”
He returned to her, with Alishondra watching the whole time. Alexa tried not to stiffen when his hand went to the back of her waist, then relaxed when he stopped looking the woman’s way.
“I think you should do it. Gina’s offer.”
The topic caught her unprepared. “The body painting?”
